Matthew Hayden, former Chennai Super Kings and Australia opener, said he wasn’t impressed with what he saw of the 2022 IPL opener against Kolkata Knight Riders, adding that new captain Ravindra Jadeja was nervous.
Hayden said the performance of the men in yellow was atypical in Mumbai on Saturday and that CSK still have work to do if they are to continue their dominant run in the IPL.
Hayden’s comments came after CSK were hammered 6 wickets by KKR in the opener of the 2022 IPL. CSK looked rusty as they huffed and puffed to 131/5 in 20 overs thanks to a fifty from their former captain MS Dhoni.
Highlights of CSK vs KKR, IPL 2022 | report
However, the paltry total wasn’t enough as KKR pursued the goal with 9 balls and 6 wickets to overtake.
As Hayden pointed out, Jadeja seemed a little crushed by the responsibility of leading the team. The hard-hitting all-rounder never got going, preventing a six from the final delivery of his innings.
Despite Dhoni changing gears, Jadeja struggled to get going, going unbeaten at 26 after having 28 deliveries.
There was tension in the air as Jadeja arrayed his troops on the field, even as veteran warhorse Dwayne Bravo periodically kept them alive with wickets.
“Even the nervousness they felt with Rav (Ravindra Jadeja) as captain was so different from CSK in so many ways.
“I’m getting a little nervous about CSK. They have a new captain, a completely different outfit, some old heads, but there’s also a lot to prove. There’s also a lot to make up for, especially after the performance on opening night.” ‘ Hayden told Star Sports.
“Challenging times for CSK”
Things didn’t go CSK’s way when Jadeja lost the toss in his first game as captain of the acclaimed franchise. New opening pairing Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway fell short as both folded on the power play.
Robin Uthappa hit 2 sixes to keep the scoreboard moving but CSK lost wickets in a hurry and slipped to 61/5 in the 11th over before Dhoni joined Jadeja.
“They have to get rolling, this top order. They saw Faf (Faf du Plessis) last year and Ruturaj Gaikwad last year, they have to emulate that somehow,” Hayden added.
“Robin (Uthappa) can’t quit cameo innings, he has to be the man who’s going to bat through the innings for CSK. Some big changes are needed, big ground to make up. Some challenging times lie ahead of me sense.
“JADEJA HAS TO BE BOLDER”
Meanwhile, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said Jadeja needs to be bolder and roll himself much earlier than he did against KKR on Saturday.
Jadeja didn’t attack until the 11th over and did a decent job giving away just 25 runs on a dewy night, but he went wicketless.
In fact, part-time Shivam Dube, a new recruit, bowled in front of Jadeja.
“For me as a captain, Jadeja has to be a bit braver when it comes to bowling. Sometimes, as a captain and when you’re a top-flight bowler, you tend to hold back.
“There has to be someone there to tell him, you have to bowl. You are good enough to get wickets.
“And I thought they were over late. Instead of Shivam Dube, it should have been experienced bowlers, Jadeja or Santner.
“You know, because if you defend 130, it’s a mistake that can cost you. You know an over of 14 or 15 runs that can slip the game,” he added.
